Duke Ellington Named Artist Of The Month For February 2014

Myeisha Essex is in love with all things pop culture, thanks in large part to her hometown. This Los Angeles native has an encyclopedic knowledge of the entertainment industry and she loves a good trivia game. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies from Bennett College for Women and her master's from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Her work can be found in Sister 2 Sister, Harlem World Magazine, Clutch and on Essence.com. When she's not keeping up with the news or learning Beyonce's latest dance moves, she enjoys watching stand-up comedy on YouTube! Follow her on Instagram @more_about_me

This Black History Month, Sony Music Entertainment celebrates the life and music of jazz legend Duke Ellington.

According to a press release, the “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” composer was named Artist of the Month this February, marking the 100th anniversary of his first composition, Soda Fountain Rag.

Be sure to visit the site and read more about Ellington’s life and career below.

A century ago, in 1914, a teenage Duke Ellington, working in Washington DC as a soda jerk by day and aspirant jazz musician by night, penned his first composition, “Soda Fountain Rag,” laying the cornerstone for one of the most expansive and important canons of American music to emerge in the 20th century.

The abiding romantic power of Duke Ellington’s music can be seen, heard and felt in the acclaimed “American Hustle,” one of this year’s Best Picture Oscar nominees, which uses “Jeep’s Blues,” as a key element in the film’s soundtrack. Cowritten by Ellington and saxophonist Johnny Hodges, “Jeep’s Blues” was first recorded in 1938 with the “American Hustle” version coming from Ellington At Newport 1956, an electrifying live album that continues to bring new audiences to Ellington’s music.

As further demonstration of Ellington’s enduring genius, a contemporary hit Broadway musical, “After Midnight,” features Duke’s music played by a 17-piece band, handpicked by Wynton Marsalis and is currently starring Fantasia. “After Midnight” opened in November to rave reviews testifying to the electrifying qualities of Duke’s music: “The #1 Broadway Musical of the Year!” (New York Magazine); “Smoldering! A sleek, elegant tribute to Duke Ellington and the glory days of the Cotton Club that brings class back to Broadway. You can’t help but THRILL!” (New York Post); “Dazzling!” (Associated Press).

Moving from Washington, DC to New York City, Duke Ellington formed his own orchestra in 1923, becoming a leading musical figure in the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement embracing and showcasing the works of African-American writers, poets, visual artists, popular entertainers, dancers, composers and musicians.

Duke Ellington led his own orchestra from 1923 until his death in 1974, often performing 50 weeks a year, writing new compositions in a hotel room one night, rehearsing them with his group and performing them for a live audience the next.

During the half century he made music, Duke Ellington wrote more than 1,000 songs as well as film soundtracks (his score for Otto Preminger’s “Anatomy of a Murder” broke new cultural and aesthetic ground) and full-length concert suites. While many of his own compositions–“It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” “Sophisticated Lady,” “Mood Indigo,” “Solitude,” “In A Mellow Tone,” “Satin Doll”–have become standards and evergreens, Ellington and his Orchestra were also responsible for introducing songs like “Caravan” and “Take the ‘A’ Train” to the world.

4. Jayne Kennedy was the first black woman to win the crown of Miss Ohio and one of the first black woman sportscasters in the country.

6. Jayne Kennedy was the first black woman to win the crown of Miss Ohio and one of the first black woman sportscasters in the country.

7 of 7

7. Jayne Kennedy was the first black woman to win the crown of Miss Ohio and one of the first black woman sportscasters in the country.

Continue reading Duke Ellington Named Artist Of The Month For February 2014

Little Known Black History Fact Photos: Jayne Kennedy

In 1970, Jayne Kennedy was the first black woman to win the crown of Miss Ohio. She advanced as one of the top 15 finalists in the 1970 Miss USA competition. The pageant queen and actress also became one of the first black woman sportscasters in the country. Eight years after the Miss USA pageant, Jayne Kennedy was a starring host on CBS Networks’ NFL Today.